Farmers angry after Dow’s new pest-resistant modified corn fails to control western bean cutworm

A type of corn marketed by Dow Chemical Co. and DuPont Co. is failing to live up to promises that it prevents a damaging worm from feeding on the crop, according to a group of insect experts.

Corn containing the Herculex trait isn’t controlling the western bean cutworm, six entomologists from Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania wrote in an “open letter to the seed industry” posted last week on the website of Purdue University. The scientists urged seed companies to stop labeling Herculex for control of the pest so farmers won’t be lulled into a false sense of security.

…”Before growers make seed choices for 2017, we again urge the seed industry to acknowledge the reality of what is happening in the field,” they wrote in Purdue’s Pest & Crop Newsletter.

DuPont cut the efficacy rating of Herculex on western bean cutworms to “moderate” in its 2017 Product Use Guide, from “very good” in the current-year publication. The change was made before the company was aware of the scientists’ letter, according to spokeswoman Sharly Sauer.

…Farmers need to take additional steps to control cutworms, including potentially spraying insecticides, DuPont and Dow said separately.